Hi Sacred Backyard Readers! This porridge recipe I am going to share with you is super vital. Fall is here in the beautiful Northern California Mountains and I have been enjoying some amazing walks along the river. Instead of snow fall its leaf fall for now and many days of the week I am greeted by the Great Blue Heron perched on a rock in the river. My connection with the heron has been going on for over a year now and its a really special one. It’s a bit of a story so I will save it for another post. I also have been visited by the snake medicine, owls, a lady bug; this amazing totem literally crawled up next to me on the couch while I was listening to an Eckart Tolle video, how serendipitous. And of course the blue jays sing and make their presence well known here.

The Heron’s Sacred Pond

Nature loves to be seen for its true essence and nature is a place where we can all feel secure, held and inspired if we are present to its sacredness. The Great Blue Heron is such an auspicious and potent medicine for me. The heron symbolizes having one foot in the manifest word and one in the unmanifest realm. The form realm and formless realm. It is a great reminder to live up to what we are, Human Beings. Human is the form aspect and the Being is the formless aspect that truly grounds us into the here and now and connects to the flow of life.

The 80/20 Principle is a great one to apply here. If we put 80% of our attention into being, literally feeling our true nature through presence and 20% attention on our goals and tasks in life we allow the great primordial intelligence to flow through us and create lives of deeper meaning and purpose.

So as the fall has set in I am enjoying warm porridge before my walk, which is jing building and anti-inflammatory too.

First: Make your coconut mylk, i choose coconut over any nut mylk b/c it is anti-inflammatory and really does not have a high omega 6 ratio like nuts which can create inflammation. So there a couple ways to do the coconut mylk; 1. you could buy young thai coconuts and blend them with water then heat that on the stove until warm. I add stevia and sea salt to taste and hold the coconut water for making kefir. Or pick up some organic coconut cream. Mine comes in a little box. Its so delicious and all you need to do is blend it with 3 or 4 cups of hot water.

Note: If you are using fresh coconuts utilize the coconut water to make kefir and opt to just use fresh water in your porridge and sweeten with stevia to keep this ketogenic, especially earlier in the day you don’t want to spike insulin. If you can not find thai coconuts go to the freezer section and see if they carry organic young thai coconut meat. Or sometimes you can get pure og coconut cream and make mylk from that if need be.

Next: Grind 2 tablespoons of flax seeds and set aside. These are high in omega 3 and great for reducing inflammation keeping your fatty acids in balance(as are the chia seeds that make up the most of your porridge). Put the desired amount of chia seeds in your mylk that’s warming on the stove. If I am making two portions I usually do about 1/2 cup chia as it will swell up a good bit. Now let the chia start to swell and stir, add the ground flax.

Then: Once its warm to the touch and the chia seeds have swelled up a bit pour into bowls. Top with Jing tonifying Goji Berries and a few fresh pomegranate seeds. Fatty acids from this breakfast are also jing tonifying and this supports a ketogenic body ecology diet approach. These fats are so healthy for the brain and give our kidneys nourishment.

Lastly: Top with fresh organic cinnamon to seal the matrix of the the porridge allowing our organs to test on to the food. Enjoy in presence. Love!

What do you feel about this recipe or the medicine we gain from nature? Share your experiences with animal totems, jing building foods or how you enjoyed the recipe below. And do share this post if you feel inspired.

During the ambrosial hours of the morning I often get insights from the sweet stillness of the morning. When our minds are most at peace and can tap into something greater. The insights may be a new idea, or what to take action on in the day or like last night what to write about on my blog. So this blog is thanks to that super power behind the scenes that drives us to create the most magical experiences.

What is Jing? Well Jing is a word used in Chinese medicine to describe your essence. It is stored in the kidneys and you are born with a certain amount of pre-heaven essence that you downloaded from your parents.

Some of us have more than others, some of us have to work smarter for it later in life to cultivate more post natal jing. For example a man in his 80’s that smokes cigarettes on the daily and can still climb to the top of a mountain and has super strong energy through out the day without any crashes may have inherited strong jing. On the other hand let’s take a look at someone whom seemingly is aging rapidly in their mid 30’s or even 40’s and does not have the energy they once had. There body feels worn out in a sense. This is the lack of jing or will to carry us in life. Chi is the movement of energy within the body, it keeps the blood and lymph fluids moving while Shen creates a peaceful spirit. We will focus on Jing in this article because from what I have learned Jing really feeds and nurtures the other Treasures, Chi & Shen. If you have strong jing it will be much easier to cultivate a peaceful spirit and life flow.

Many factors can cause our jing to run out, stress is a big one. Living in a modern world with busy schedules can create a loss of jing. Having children also requires lots of jng and so a woman would do well to nourish her jing before birth and then after the baby is born it is time to re-build. Illnesses can deplete jing and lifestyle choices can either positively or negatively impact your jing.

So here we are going to go through a simple list of things you can start doing today to increase your Jing wherever you are in life young or “old”.

1. Stay Present as often as you can. Begin to cultivate presence in your daily life. When you are in the present moment it is hard to leak jing. Jing is leaked when we are in the thinking mind worrying about the dead past or hoping for future results. The present moment offers insight and wisdom from beyond the illusion of time. It is here where you access to creative expression and life works with you because you are accepting and living in the only moment there is, the now. The more we resist the now the more life resists us. The more we accept and live in the now life lines up for us. Suggestions are to read Eckart Tolle’s books and attend a meet up group on the subject. This will keep you in a steady flow of Jing creation.

2. Incorporate the The 5 Tibetan Rites in your daily exercise regime. This practice will open up the 7 energy centers in your body and help to reverse the aging process. It will balance your hormones and assist you to strengthen your Jing. Keep it up and after 1,000 sets of this practice your energy bands will likely shift and you will be activated. This practice is ancient and to be applied with reverence. Read books about the practice such as the Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth by Peter Kelder. Find a mentor that really knows this art and master it with their help.

3. Master Cellular Nutrition – We are all experimenting on foods and what works for our bodies. I have found that a nutritional protocol that feeds the good bacteria such as the Body Ecology Diet can be a great starting point. Using ketogenic diet principles you can burn long and clean using quality fuel for your body and not spike insulin and sugar levels.

4. Create time for tea each day that incorporates herbs to build jing such as He Shou Wu, Cordyceps, & Goji Berries ( about 1 tsp per day). Create a ritual of this and rebuild your body with mineral rich substances such as this. Make teas and broths that give your body warm nourishment.

5. Fast once a week with liquid nourishment (for beginners that require deep cleansing from standard diet). Utilize broth, warm tonic teas, a green vegetable juice and a blended green soup in the evening. The greens will work in synergy with the chinese herbs.

6. Cultivate several other practices like magnesium therapy to counter act any calcification in the body and rebuild your hormones through the process. Transdermal Magnesium absorbs the best.

These are just a few beginner steps that can be taken. For more detailed info on cleansing and rebuilding contact me personally for a personalized program.

If you are reading this you’ve probably been in a similar situation that I have experienced. You have learned or even created your own affirmations to repeat them over and over and well some how they didn’t create what you wanted. Do affirmations not really work? Well the truth of the matter is way deeper than just saying an affirmation. There has to be a sure and deep belief that these affirmations are in fact true.

Here are some things to consider on making affirmations honestly come to life in your life!

1. Mirror work: One of our most challenging and yet rewarding tasks is to look in the mirror while saying our affirmations. And why not say something kind to yourself every time you pass the mirror? This will build self confidence and love while reprogramming us to think beautiful thoughts. Inner beauty becomes outer beauty. It is a fundamental law.

2. Let go of the Resistance to Change: How much are you holding on to the dead past? Can you honestly let go of the passed? What from the past is creating a pattern in your life?

I had a huge revelation when I realized an event in my teens had created a pattern in me that was other than self serving. When I was able to identify that, I felt sad at first and then I was so happy that I figured it out with the assistance of my companion/source/god.I was then able to do the work to move forward.

When I was able to RELEASE this and FORGIVE all involved including myself, I no longer was holding myself back and then was able to create a new successful pattern. Thank Goddess! Take Action Now.

And here is the most profound reason why affirmations don’t always work. We must be willing to release the need to suffer, to be unworthy, to self sabotage etc. Until we unravel the ball of yarn we don’t open up to these affirmations on a deep sub conscious level. We must first release the need to allow these patterns to control us, let go and open up to the divine truth. We created this for our own good so we could take back our soul power. Here is a way to start doing this NOW. When you feel resistance or anger or any “negative” feeling/self talk. Say to yourself in that moment, I release the NEED to hold on to this pain or I release the NEED to engage in self defeating actions etc. Whatever it is just release it in the moment and come into your power as a soul. You will feel the difference and immediately start to shift out of victim mode into conscious mode.

Next, to receive positive affirmations we must be in a peaceful and open space. Let’s take a moment to get in this space together.

First let your body relax, take a deep breath and watch as everything begins to soften. Start at the crown of your head and take time to go through each area of the body to relax it deeply. Most people have major tension in the face, jaw, neck, shoulders, heart & belly. Just surrender and let go. Give yourself the love right now and this is the time to open up to these beautiful, life changing affirmations. Keep breathing long, slow and deep. Release the body and the mind automatically begins to release and soften. Whatever tension is in the body is always going on in the mind. Let it go and Shine.

It all begins with a seed, a seed in your consciousness. When you start growing something in your garden lets say hibiscus flowers for example. How do they begin? They begin as a seed. Do they look anything like the beautiful, deep and rich colored flowers they become? No, but yet you still have faith and you think and say: “oh wow I am so excited to see the flowers in a few weeks, there will be many of them and they will be beautiful.” It’s the same with whatever you desire, have faith in your seeds.

I really am grateful for the work of Louise Hay as this post was inspired by her. Let me know in the comments below how you have allowed positive affirmations to rock your world! Comment below, let me know how you are doing! With Love and Blessings to you. And once again, thanks for stopping by the Sacred Backyard!

Note: Worry is Fear…don’t let this control your life. Realize you are an authentic creator. Rejoice in your uniqueness. Unleash your soul power and start unraveling the yarn. Then open up to the truth of your greatness. Take the reigns of your beautiful mind. There are many ways to create your amazing life, this is just one way that really spoke to me. Love you!

Many of us have caught on that the foods we consume produce a certain result in our bodies. For example eating healthy fats like in avocados or fresh coconut produce lustrous hair, wrinkle free skin and a happy body. Where as eating rancid or highly heated fats and oils creates the exact opposite.

Just as we detox our liver, kidneys and colon to function at our best our skin and scalp also require this kind of cleansing. Our skin being the largest organ gives us an opportunity to release toxins through our pores. We can do this with saunas, physical movement and sweat lodges to name a few. This also provides a radiance to the skin and body over a lifetime.

How do we specifically target the scalp for a radiant head of hair?
In order to deeply purify our scalps and create radiantly healthy and full heads of hair we must first bring our awareness to the scalp. Past use of shampoos and conditioners with chemicals, coloring agents, alcohols and preservatives create blockages in our scalps. So the first step is to let go of these crutches. They create instant gratification but over time cause a detriment to our health. If we are creating negative self talk about the condition of our hair this will also cause a negative reaction in our bodies. As we speak kindly to ourselves and create a positive self image we change the health of the scalp. This is foundational and the most important piece of the equation.

Next we want to detox our scalp which pulls out the impurities. We do this like the ancients have done and thankfully Hair Shaman Anthony Morrocco has taken it upon himself to create from the Earth a detoxification clay made from potent proteins, minerals and clays. When applied to the scalp with spring or purified water this naturally cleans and pulls out the toxins. When we clean and clear the area we make way for a healthy, mineral rich and PH balanced environment. Zen Detox is a mild yet effective all natural way to cleanse the scalp. If you are experiencing the following its time for a detox!

a dry scalp

excessive oily scalp

itchiness, dandruff

sore scalp

brain fog

hair loss

From the first use you will notice a lightness of the scalp. If you are suffering from heavy metal challenges you may feel a clarity in the mind or even the feeling of Zen!

This is the Zen Detox working its magic on your crown of glory. Next we want to nourish the scalp with the healthiest most pure shampoo and conditioners to strengthen, rejuvenate and feed the follicles, hair strands and glands in the scalp!

The more nourishment we give our scalp in the form of loving thoughts, plant based shampoos and conditioners and plenty of healthy blood flow through scalp massaging, yoga (inversions) and movement we create our radiant healthy scalp and hair.

Hey Ya’ll! Morrocco Method has graciously offered us a coupon code for anyone interested to experience Radiant Hair, what a blessing! Check it here:

Coupon code: Sacredhair35

15% off any item

New customers only

Good for 30 days (expires 10/31/14)

***Note: If you are a writer/blogger and are inspired by my posts feel free to mention my work or ask to reshare my work. Otherwise come up with your own original thoughts and content:) Thanks for expressing your own authentic writings/ideas, you are a amazing!

Have you ever wondered how or what could bring you to truly and fully achieve freedom and attainment of all things you desire? We can look outside ourselves all we want, until we are blue in the face quite frankly. When will we realize we are the one’s we have been waiting for?

The ego may not want to hear this, but in truth we are the one’s we have been awaiting, we are the souls, the points of light, the Angels…its a matter of listening, tuning in and going deep within.

Most are not up for the challenge, but I believe that if you are reading this you probably are ready to break free of the suffering and move onward, upward and inward to resolve the blocks and see reality for what it really is.

It’s sad to think people choose death before their natural time of moving forward into the soul’s eternal home. Some choose it deliberately taking their life and others utilize drugs, some utilize foods and other addictions to ease the pain & even others starve themselves to ease the pain. This deep pain is an outer reflection of the state of our world. The truth is that taking your own life in whatever form will not free ourselves. You are an ever living soul here sent from the light. You are a resident of the Supreme Abode and the way out is thru purification with the One.

You came to claim your birthright and see this world in wonder. You chose to come here to wake up, embody the attainment of all things and serve as the light you always have been.

As we remember to be the detached observer in our life, always connected to the Supreme Being we will activate our purpose filled life with grace. The physical body is an instrument for the soul to complete its mission, therefore its important for it to be running optimally. Some are not ready in this lifetime so they come back again and again to wake up and have the courage to be the light. Whatever it is health, wealth, love, power…it is achieved once we master our self image & cultivate an intimate relation with Source. We then have full dominion over our physical form.

Most people are asleep, if the third eye is shut down the world is and can be a dark place. The only way out is to confront the ego self and expose it with the light of your consciousness. When we admit that our Ego has been attached to suffering we open it up to be reconciled. Keep a notepad with you through out the day and recognize when this is happening. Open up to the light. Any form of sabotage to yourself or another is a judgement and keeps you locked in the low vibrational states that most of the world runs on. Don’t be hard on yourself, just move forward. It is what it is.

One of the most profound things you can do to activate your third eye (also known as the intellect of the soul) & cultivate your relation with The Supreme Being of God in order to fulfill your dharma is to meditate. Meditate in the stillness of your being, connect with the divine source that is their as your companion constantly and consistently radiating nothing but love, peace, bliss and abundance. Plug in to the source because that is always where we get our answers. There is nothing outside of this connection that is more powerful in creating a wonder filled life

We Are All Actors, Kings, Queens of our Own Domain

We are actor’s on the big stage here in life. Distractions are among us in all ways. It is up to us to focus, be the captain of our own ship the King or Queen of our own dominion. Let go and surrender to the Source from which you came. Expose the ego, accept it for what it is.

Let’s admit we fall short sometimes by thinking, acting and saying things that feed the ego. To end suffering we must admit this and then wake up from our slumber. We are reflections and our world is a state of our own consciousness. Let’s take responsibility and also recognize we are all points of light, we are souls. See this in your daily actions. Instead of judging others even looking, talking or thinking of others recognize them all and yourself as a star of light.

Take time to listen to high vibrational music like classical music. Listen to meditation with binaural beats, write letters to source/god/the infinite so that your connection becomes one of power and beauty. The only way to supercharge your soul and gain power in this life is to have such an unwavering connection to source and steadfast faith in the attainment of this freedom.

A courageous soul fears no one or thing it holds a feeling of nizchay or certainty in the power of the Supreme Connection because daily it plugs in in order to receive guidance on all things.

The lymph system is without a pump unlike the heart. The heart pumps and pumps so it can push and move fluid, nutrients and toxins without assistance. Of course if it is plugged up or in some way hindered from fully functioning it too will require some form of detoxification. But the lymph system requires movement on a daily basis.Let’s learn a little more about the lymph system.
The lymph has double the amount of fluid than the blood running through our veins. In order to keep the immune system at peak performance the lymph fluid must be clear of bacteria, yeast, mold and viruses. The white blood cells are here in this fluid to protect us from foreign invaders. Here are some of our organs that are a apart of the lymphatic system which is also apart of the circulatory system:

1. Thymus
2. Tonsils
3. Spleen

Maybe you have had a surgery and no longer have tonsils. This is all the more reason to keep the lymphatic system strong and healthy. Maybe your digestive fire is not all that you remember it to be. Are we eliminating our bowels 2 or 3 times a day? This is a good indicator of health and well being. So the lymph assists the removal of waste from the tissues as well as brings life into our physical bodies.

Lymph System and Nodes

What are other indicators our lymph is flowing or not? Well there are points on the body that if we apply pressure to can either be deeply sore or not sore it all. These are the areas of the body where the lymph nodes are. You can look at the diagram in this post to see where the lymph nodes are and press on these spots or have someone do this for you. Our bodies are not meant to be in pain, so if when you push on different parts on the body and you experience any level of pain there is some work that could be done. This is due to build up of calcification, toxins, lack of movement and fluid flow, emotional baggage etc.

How do we truly move the lymph in order to flush the toxins out of our bodies? If we can keep the lymph moving for 20 minute intervals we will allow it to circulate and flush effectively. What are ways to achieve this?

Breath Work Breathing consciously for a length of time.

Hot/Cold Showers or just cold showers…which are a true joy for the physical body especially in the summer heat:) They leave us with a radiant glow to our face and we feel energized. Why? Because the blood and fluid has now rushed to the external areas of the body creating movement and flow. The face has color and life. Ever notice people that are very pale, it looks as if no life is pumping thru the brain..no oxygen is getting to the area and stagnant energy and toxins is a result.

Hand Stands and Inversions

Yoga

Systemic Enzymes

Skin Brushing

Walking up hill for 20 minutes.

Rebounding..this is my favorite and quite possibly one of the most effective and youth promoting practices of all! It is such an amazing practice for moving the lymph system. This oscillates all of your cells and truly gets things moving. Rebounding is an incredible practice on so many levels that a whole post must be dedicated to it. My favorite Rebounder is by Bellicon. I have utilized different Rebounders but this one is the Mercedes Benz of the Rebounder industry. Experience it for yourself!

I’m so enthused that you stopped by the Sacred Backyard. Love and Blessings. ~ Dodee

How did this post assist you on your journey? Leave us a comment below. We love to hear from you!

Some of the best times I remember growing up, are the memories of my sister and I foraging for wild blackberries on a hot summer day in Western Pennsylvania. We would get dressed in long sleeves and pants to protect us from the thorns and bugs. Each of us carried a basket and would fill it affectionately with those berries. The big, plump, black ones that would whisper to us, they were indeed ready for a cold soak in some raw cream delivered by the milk man:) Yes we had a local milk man that delivered straight to the front door and those berries got to swim in a bowl of fresh cream from a glass bottle. As we sat next to each other at the big wooden table we would count our blackberries one by one.

Wild blackberry picking

After a snack like that we would be back out on the land exploring the neighbors blueberry patches, playing near the stream, or doing whatever our imagination’s conjured up. Our imaginations were a part of what made our childhood the best one ever.

Mom would yell loud from the front stoop it was time to come in for dinner and some how we always heard her call from wherever we were.

Our days were filled with streams, rivers, walking next to the train tracks at Uncle Jeff’s mountain home, chasing the river to the waterfall, playhouses, neighboring farms and soulful journeys.

The innocence, sensitivity, beauty, enthusiasm, purity and playfulness the soul seeks gives deep nourishment to our lives. As adults it is what brings about the conscious return to innocence. We then complete our journey & seal the matrix.

A Writer’s Inspiration

What is it you did as a child that made you light up? Bring that back to your reality however you can.

For me it is being with nature, the sounds of nature, the beauty of nature, the magick of nature. I find myself now living near a river, waterfall, train tracks and near some of the best spring water a girl could ask for. Living in a small town with big dreams is a joy for the soul and it offers so much. It allows us to see the small details of life yet accomplish our biggest dreams. The stillness a small town offers us let’s us get into a feeling state to revive and nourish the soul, it draws in the most extraordinary and mundane of individuals giving it character and grace. It is a writer’s inspiration.

The train that rolls through allows for so many eccentric, transient individuals to pass through. The other day two kids came through town with their instruments. They started playing out front of the old theater at 7 in the morning rocking out giving the town character. The conversations I had with them were inspirational and full of wonder.

Other days I here live, soulful Jazz from the courtyard a block away. Time for a walk down to the free concert and a little dancing for the soul in us all. Oh the wonder of a small town.

There is a little cafe that sits across the street from my window. It is only open 4 days a week (maybe something more businesses could adopt to save their souls:)), but there is something about the days they are open that is fun to watch. The fresh greens and chantrelle’s are brought in from a local forager, the owner sharing his unique gifts to serve the community, the trucks dropping off goods from around the area, travelers from all over the world making reservations to dine at this hidden gem.

My latest harvest of wild plums and blackberries:)

Whatever it is that nourishes your soul go do that and watch as it becomes super charged fulfilling its’ purpose and mission in life. Let your soul shine as it is what requires the healing..the body always follows suit. Activate your Super Senses, let your soul be the guide. Revive the Soul.

God,
For Me, My Family And All Humanity
Throughout All Time, Past, Present And Future
Please Help Us All Forgive All People
Help All People Forgive Us
And Help Us All Forgive Ourselves
Please God, Thank You God, Amen

Help Us All Love Each Other And Love Ourselves
Be At Peace With Each Other And Be At Peace With Ourselves
Please God, Thank You God, Amen

God, We Give You Our Love
And Thank You For Your Constant Love And Blessings
We Respect And Appreciate All Your Creations
And We Fill All Your Creations With Our Love

Please God, Thank You God, Amen

God, We Give You Our Love
And Thank You For Your Constant Love And Blessings
We Respect And Appreciate All Your Creations
And We Fill All Your Creations With Our Love

God, Please Open, Bless, Empower, Expand
Lead, Guide, Direct And Protect
Me, My Family And All Humanity
Throughout All Time
Now And Forever
Please God, Thank You God

Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen

~Howard Wills
*Thank you Howard for some of the most profound prayers your offer to us as your purposeful gift. To be recited morning and evening.